- United States
- Fla.
- Letter
This proposed legislation represents a grave threat to fundamental democratic values and civil liberties. Granting unchecked power to the Treasury Department to unilaterally designate nonprofit organizations as "terrorist-supporting" and strip them of tax-exempt status is deeply concerning. Such broad authority, without the need to provide evidence or justification, opens the door to abuse and retaliation against groups based on political disagreements rather than substantive concerns. Civic organizations play a vital role in a healthy democracy by promoting public discourse, advocating for causes, and holding power accountable. Stifling their ability to operate freely undermines the very foundations of free speech and dissent. The potential for this law to be wielded as a tool to silence critics and opposition voices cannot be ignored. Furthermore, the lack of transparency and due process enshrined in this bill is antithetical to principles of fairness and justice. Nonprofits must have the right to appeal such consequential designations and be afforded the opportunity to defend themselves with evidence. I implore you to reject this legislation, which poses an existential threat to the freedoms and civil liberties that define our democratic society. We must uphold the highest standards of government accountability and protect the right of citizens to engage in civic discourse without fear of unjust retaliation.